Shield for downwardly diverting exhaled gases from anesthesiologist

ABSTRACT

A transparent arcuate panel including anchor structure at one end thereof for attachment to an elevated member extending transversely of the head end portion of an operating table. The other end of the arcuate panel curves downwardly and is engageable with the extendible head piece or rest of an associated operating table. The side edge portions as well as the other end edge of the panel include depending flexible and transparent marginal skirt portions and the panel and skirt portions serve to entrap gases exhaled by children while administering anesthesia to the children with a non-rebreathing valve. The exhaled gases are diverted downwardly by the panel and skirt and thereafter fall to the floor of the operating room.

tlnited States Patent 1191 Foster 1451 May 28, 19M

[ SHIELD FOR DOWNWARDLY DIVERTING EXl-IALED GASES FROM ANESTHESIOLOGIST[76] Inventor: Beatrice D. Foster, 8191 Colony Dr.

Apt. 1., Wyandotte, Mich. 48138 [22] Filed: Sept. 12, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 288,341

52 U.S.Cl. 269/322, 5/319,,12s/1 B, 128/191 A 51 1m. 01 ..A61 13/0o [58]Field ofSearch.. 269/322, 323,324, 325, 269/326, 327, 328;,128/188, 132,191 A; 312/1;5/317,319

[ 56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,136,521 12/1956France 128/191 A Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

Assistant ExaminerCraig R. Feinberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A.OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A transparent arcuate panelincluding anchor structure at one end thereof for attachment to anelevated member extending transversely of the head end portion of anoperating table. The other end of the arcuate panel curves downwardlyand is engageable with the extendible headpiece or rest of an associatedoperating table. The side edge portions as well as the other end edge ofthe panel include depending flexible and transparent marginal skirtportions and the panel and skirt portions serve to entrap gases exhaledby children while administering anesthesia to the children with anon-rebreathing valve. The exhaled gases are diverted downwardly by thepanel and skirt and thereafter fall to the floor of the operating room.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 I SHIELD ron nowNwAnnLv urvsarnvo EXHALEDGASES mom ANESTHESIOLOGIST The shield of the instant invention may beutilized under various conditions by anesthesiologists whileadministering anesthesia. However, the shield is principally designedfor use when administering a pediatric anesthetic with a non-rebreathingvalve.

Many recent surveys reveal that anesthetists are having miscarriages,cirrhosis of the liver and other health problems clue to inhalation ofanesthetic gases. To date, a valve and large rubber tubing have beendevised to carry the exhaled gases from the anesthetic machine to thefloor in adult anesthesia.

Pediatric anesthetic is administered in a different way. For children, anon-rebreathing valve is utilized which lets the exhaled gases escapevery near the face of the anesthesiologist. Once the anesthetic isdischarged from the non-rebreathing valve, it can be rebreathed by theanesthetist, or can be diverted downward. The shield of the instantinvention has been specifically designed for this purpose and iseffective in diverting the gases discharged from the non-rebreathingvalve downward toward floor level, after which the gas is no longerdangerous to the anesthetist.

The shield of the instant invention is inexpensive to produce, can beused'without any advance preparation and is readily attachable toconventional operating table end frames utilized to hold or supportsterile sheets above the pediatric patients face. The shield istransparent and therefore allows full view of the patient and the softand transparent peripheral skirt of the shield provides for easy accessto the head area disposed beneath the shield from either side.

The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for use inadministering pediatric anesthetic and which will be operative toprevent anesthetic gases discharged from non-rebreathing valves frombeing re- .breathed by the anesthesiologist.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, is to provide a shield which will be operative indownwardly diverting anesthetic gases discharged from a non-rebreathingvalve toward the floor of the associated operating room.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shield which is tobe utilized in conjunction with nonexplosive anesthetic gases and may bereadily removably supported from existing operating table equipment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a shieldconstructed in a manner whereby ready access to the head of a pediatricpatient on an associated operating table will be afforded at all times.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a shield inaccordance with the preceding objects and including means by which asuction tube may have its inlet end readily placed within the confinesof the shield from the exterior of the latter for continuously orperiodically withdrawing exhaled gases.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a shield in accordance with the preceding objects and whichwill conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simpleconstruction and easy to use so as to provide a device that I will beeconomically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free inoperation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the anesthetic diverting shield of theinstant invention with the shield operatively engaged with the end frameusually supported from the head end of an operating table and utilizedto support sterile sheets above the face of a pediatric patient on theoperating table;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the head end of anoperating table illustrating the manner in which an anesthesiologist maybe positioned so as to administer anesthetic to the head of a patientdisposed beneath the shield of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 butillustrating the manner in which the anesthesiologist may perform his orher task while in a standing position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the shieldillustrating the manner in which the lower extension of the shield maybe locked in the extended position; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon a plane passing through one of the spring clampsutilized to support the shield from the overhead frame carried by thehead end of an associated operating table.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates an operating room in which an operating tablereferred to in general by the reference numeral 12 is disposed. Thetable 12 includes a head end 14 and a retractable head piece or panel 16which may be telescoped into the head end 14 of the table 12.Conventionally, the head end 14 of the table 12 includes a downwardlyopening inverted U-shaped rod-like frame 18 having opposite side legs 20and 22 interconnected by means of an upper bight portion 24. The lowerends of the legs 20 and 22 are secured through brackets 26 carried byopposite side portions of the head end 14 of the table 12. In thismanner, the frame 18 is supported from the head end 14 of the table 12with the bight portion 24 thereof disposed in an elevated position abovethe neck or upper torso of a pediatric patient 28 disposed on the table12.

When the patient 28 is being operated upon, sterile sheet 30 is drapedover the patient and the head end of the sheet 30 is usually supportedfrom the bight portion 24 of the frame 18.

However, the shield of the instant invention is referred to in generalby the reference numeral 32 and comprises an arcuate panel 34 having afirst end 36 to which a pair of spring clips 38 are secured and thespring clips 38 are releasably engageable with the bight portion 24 inorder to support the end 36 of the panel 34 from the frame 18. Ofcourse, the spring clips 38 support the end 36 of the panel 34 from thebight portion 24 for oscillation about the latter. Further, the end 36of the panel 34 includes spring clips 40 in which the folded or rolledhead end of the sheet 30 may be gripped whereby the sheet 30 ismaintained in spaced relation above the upper torso of the pediatricpatient 28.

The shield 34 curves forwardly and downwardly away from the bightportion 24 and includes an opposite end extension 42 which is hingedlysupported from the panel 34 by means of hinges 46. In addition, it willbe noted that the hinges 46 support the extension 44 from the panel 34in a manner such that the lower end of the extension 44 may not be swungfurther in a clockwise direction from the position thereof illustratedin FIG. 1 of the drawings. The inner surface of the lower marginalportion of the panel 34 has a latch plate 48 pivotally secured theretoas at 50 and the free swinging end of the latch plate 48 includes athumb engageable tab 52. When the latch plate 48 is in the upstandingposition thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, theextension 44is thereby locked against angular displacement relative to the panel 34.

The opposite side marginal edges 54 and 56 of the panel 34 have theopposite end portions of an elongated peripherally extending anddepending flexible transparent skirt 58 secured thereto and the skirtpasses over and is secured to the outer surface of the lower portion ofthe panel 34. The extension 44 includes side marginal edges 60 and 62coextensive with the adjacent portions of the side edges of the panel34.

The side marginal edge portion 54 of the panel 34 has a laterallyoutwardly opening notch 66 formed therein beneath the skirt 58 and thecorresponding edge portion 60 of the extension 44 has a similar notch 68formed therein.

As may be seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings, the extension 44 may belocked in the extended position so that the lower free end of theextension 44 abuts the outer end of the head piece or plate 16. In thismanner, an anesthesiologist 70 disposed in standing position at the headend of the operating table 12 may slip his 'hands beneath the sideportions of the skirt 58 with his arms received in the inwardly recessedportions 54' and 56 of the side edges 54 and 56 of the panel 34. Theinwardly recessed portions 54' are formed in the free end portion of thepanel 34 and merge smoothly into the opposite side marginal edges 60 and62 of the extension 44. On the other hand, if the anesthesiologist 70 isseated as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lock plate 48 maybe swung to a horizontal position so as to release the extension and thelatter can be folded inwardly so as to be generally horizontallydisposed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In thisconfiguration the shield 32 fits lower and more closely over the head ofthe patient 28 and is more conveniently positioned for the seatedanesthesiologist, see FIG. 2.

The notches 66 and 68 are provided to enable a suction line to bereadily positioned with its inlet end disposed within the confines ofthe shield 52. Rather than forming openings in the panel 34 andextension 44 so that the suction line must be precisely aligned withsuch openings in order to be positioned with its inlet end within theconfines of the shield 32, the notches 66 and 68 are provided therebyenabling the inlet end of the suction line to be merely slid along theedge portions 54' and 60 until they drop into and seat within the notch66 or the notch 68. Thereafter, slight longitudinal displacement of theinlet end of the suction line will be sufficient to place the inlet endwithin the confines of the shield 32.

In operation, the shield 32 is operatively engaged with the frame 18merely by advancing the spring clips 38 toward the bight portion 24.Then, after the anesthesiologist has determined whether the extension 44is to be used, the anesthesiologist may administer anesthetic to thepatient 28 by passing his hands beneath the lower marginal portions ofthe skirt 58.

If for any reason immediate and close access to the face of the patient28 is demanded, the shield 32 may be readily pivoted upwardly in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings wherebythe patients head will be fully exposed. In addition, the spring clips38 and 40 are readily removably engaged from the bight portion 24 andthe sheet 30 so that the entire shield 32 may be quickly fully removedfrom the head end of the operating table 12.

The shield is to be used with non-explosive gases, because of thepossibility of an explosive atmosphere being ignited by a sparkgenerated by a discharge of static electricity. However, if suitablemeasures are taken to establish a constant ground for the plasticshield, the latter may be used when explosive gases are beingadministered.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with an operating table including a head supportingend portion and a remote end portion, shield structure for downwardlydirecting exhaled gases from an anesthesiologist when a rebreathingvalve is not being used, said shield structure comprising a transparentarcuate panel, said panel being supported from said table with one endthereof elevated appreciably above and spaced along said table from saidhead end toward said remote end and the other end of the panel curvingdownwardly therefrom and supported from the head end of the operatingtable, said panel including opposite side edge portions having majorlength portions thereof elevated above said table, and dependingflexible skirt portions extending along and supported from said oppositeside edge portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said side edgeportions has an elongated transversely extending notch formed thereinopening outwardly through said one side edge portion.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panel is ofconsiderably less width than said one end thereof.

4. The combination of claim I wherein said panel is of an angular extentof approximately 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said skirtportion is also transparent.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end of said panelincludes spring clip means for releasably engaging the head end of asheet draped over a patient on the associated operating table.

7. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted U-shaped framesupported from said table and including a transverse bight portionextending across the table in elevated position relative thereto andspaced toward said remote end from the head end of said operating table,said one end including spring clip means releasably engaged with saidbight portion of said inverted U-shaped frame and supporting said oneend of said panel from said bight portion for angular displacementthereabout.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panelincludes a hinged extension supported therefrom and swingable between alimit position defining an endwise outward extension of said other endof said panel and an inwardly swung generally horizontal position.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means operatively associatedwith said panel and extension for releasably securing. said extension inthe extended position thereof.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite side edge portionsof said panel adjacent said other end thereof include inwardly displacedlongitudinally extending portions defining a narrow end portion of saidpanel.

11. In combination with an operating table including a head end, ashield structure for downwardly directing patient exhaled gases awayfrom an anesthesiologist positioned at said head end, said shieldstructure including a panel portion having first and second lower andupper ends, respectively, spaced longitudinally along said table fromsaid head end toward the other end, said panel including opposite sidemarginal portions extending between the opposite ends thereof, saidtable and panel including coacting means supporting said second end ofsaid panel in appreciably elevated position from said table and forangular displacement of said panel about a horizontal transverse axisclosely adjacent said second end, said panel including opposite sidedepending flexible skirt portions extending along and supported fromsaid opposite side marginal portions, said first end of said panel andsaid head end portion of said table including coacting portionssupporting said first end of said panel from said head end of saidtable, at least major length portions of said opposite side marginalportions of said panel being spaced appreciably above said table.

1. In combination with an operating table including a head supportingend portion and a remote end portion, shield structure for downwardlydirecting exhaled gases from an anesthesiologist when a rebreathingvalve is not being used, said shield structure comprising a transparentarcuate panel, said panel being supported from said table with one endthereof elevated appreciably above and spaced along said table from saidhead end toward said remote end and the other end of the panel curvingdownwardly therefrom and supported from the head end of the operatingtable, said panel including opposite side edge portions having majorlength portions thereof elevated above said table, and dependingflexible skirt portions extending along and supported from said oppositeside edge portions.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least oneof said side edge portions has an elongated transversely extending notchformed therein opening outwardly through said one side edge portion. 3.The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panel is ofconsiderably less width than said one end thereof.
 4. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said panel is of an angular extent of approximately 90*.5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said skirt portion is alsotransparent.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end of saidpanel includes spring clip means for releasably engaging the head end ofa sheet draped over a patient on the associated operating table.
 7. Thecombination of claim 1 including an inverted U-shaped frame supportedfrom said table and including a transverse bight portion extendingacross the table in elevated position relative thereto and spaced towardsaid remote end from the head end of said operating table, said one endincluding spring clip means releasably engaged with said bight portionof said inverted U-shaped frame and supporting said one end of saidpanel from said bight portion for angular displacement thereabout. 8.The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panel includesa hinged extension supported therefrom and swingable between a limitposition defining an endwise outward extension of said other end of saidpanel and an inwardly swung generally horizontal position.
 9. Thecombination of claim 8 including means operatively associated with saidpanel and extension for releasably securing said extension in theextended position thereof.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein theopposite side edge portions of said panel adjacent said other endthereof include inwardly displaced longitudinally extending portionsdefining a narrow end portion of said panel.
 11. In combination with anoperating table including a head end, a shield structure for downwardlydirecting patient exhaled gases away from an anesthesiologist positionedat said head end, said shield structure including a panel portion havingfirst and second lower and upper ends, respectively, spacedlongitudinally along said table from said head end toward the other end,said panel including opposite side marginal portions extending betweenthe opposiTe ends thereof, said table and panel including coacting meanssupporting said second end of said panel in appreciably elevatedposition from said table and for angular displacement of said panelabout a horizontal transverse axis closely adjacent said second end,said panel including opposite side depending flexible skirt portionsextending along and supported from said opposite side marginal portions,said first end of said panel and said head end portion of said tableincluding coacting portions supporting said first end of said panel fromsaid head end of said table, at least major length portions of saidopposite side marginal portions of said panel being spaced appreciablyabove said table.